Summary: One brother has gone astray, the other two have come to bring him home.
Written for the 2019 Chaps and Spurs. Use the following words (Health, Prosperity, Polka dots, Lead and Underwear) in the story.
Rating – G, Word Count – 1015
A Brother Lost
Mud and water dripped from every surface as the two soaked riders nudged their horses up the twisted road. Lightning flashed just long enough to reveal the line shack ahead. Reining their mounts to a stop, the brothers shared silent communication. A familiar paint horse was under the lean-to and a pale light shown through the single window. Dismounting, the riders quickly cared for their horses, full of worry over what they’d find inside the shack.
At the door, both men took a deep breath.
“Ready?”
“Yeah, might as well get it over with.”
Hoss squeezed the latch and pushed the door open, letting Adam enter first. Neither was prepared for what they saw.
Clothes were thrown over every surface, a weak fire burned under a blackened pot, the contents of which Hoss confirmed with a wrinkled nose to be hazardous to anyone’s health. The lamp barely had enough oil remaining to keep burning. Coming to his senses first, Adam grabbed the lamp and held it high looking for the one thing that mattered most, and there it, or rather he, was, laid out on the only cot in a dark corner of the shack.
Hoss was closer and made it there first. He pulled back the wool blanket to check the condition of his missing brother.
“Adam, these must be all Joe’s clothes. He ain’t wearin’ nothin’ but his underwear an’ socks. What the heck happened to him?”
“From the looks of things he’s been like this for at least a day. Is he injured Hoss?”
“Not from what I can tell.” Hoss felt all over his unconscious brother without getting even the slightest rise out of him.
“Well we better get ourselves dry, and try to find some more wood and something to cook in. Maybe the smell of some fresh food will get him moving.”
After finding some dry wood near the horses, Hoss cleaned up the room while Adam worked on a meal for them. He’d found another pot and made some stew from their leftover rations. A glance over his shoulder confirmed that Joe had not moved at all.
“Hey Adam, is this what I think it is?” Hoss handed over a locket and a flask. Adam looked at the photo and sniffed the flask. He sighed deeply looking back at his brother.
“Yeah, it is Hoss. It’s Joe’s locket from Marie, and this flask was full of Pulque.”
“So little brother did ride off with Clay, like Pa said. But where’s Clay now?”
Adam shrugged, set the items aside and headed outside. Hoss knew his older brother was fearful of Joe traveling with Clay, and all this proved it out. Clay was no good to anybody but himself.
The rain abated during the night as the brothers slept. The next morning Hoss tended the horses and scoured the area for any type of food. In the meantime Adam worked to get Joe to awaken. He rubbed his arms and legs, shook him, even washed him down with cold water from the creek. That last one did the trick as Joe finally began to mumble and feebly push his brother’s hands away.
“Come on Joe, wake up. We have to talk and then get you home. Pa’s been worried sick for the last week about you.”
As Adam’s soft voice drifted through Joe’s foggy mind, he began to realize where he was and what had happened. Pale green eyes finally met hazel ones then looked away in anger and shame.
“Clay’s gone, ain’t he?” Joe didn’t have to ask, he knew. “Leave me here Adam. I got….nothin’ to go home….to but a lec-ture from….Pa.” Joe rolled over to face the wall. Adam turned when Hoss entered and stood abruptly at the sight of his brother.
“What the heck happened to you?”
“Dang fool rain and mud. I was gettin’ some water and saw this sittin’ down the creek aways. Went to reach fer it an’ fell into a mud hole. Got off what I could afore comin’ in here.”
Before Adam could move or respond, a giggle reverberated from the cot. It got louder and faster. “Hoss…what you doin’ wearin’ a polka dot shirt? It looks like somethin’ Bessie Sue would wear. Is she here too? Say those aren’t kiss marks all over your face are they? Hoo-wee, Pa’s gonna be might mad about you smooching with a gal way up here.”
Dumbstruck, Hoss gaped at Adam. “Yeah, he’s awake and stone drunk. That jug you found in the creek confirms it, Clay and–”
“Pulque!!” The brothers spoke in unison.
Joe continued to giggle as Hoss pulled his muddy clothes off. “I keep tellin’ ya Joe, it’s mud, not polka dots an’ kisses. You ain’t got your head screwed on straight right now so just keep quiet will ya?”
Adam had made coffee and was pumping his brother full of it. Once some of the effects of the pulque began to wear off, Joe slowly came to his senses. It was a rough day as he went from giddiness to sorrow to fighting a splitting headache to losing what food and coffee he’d ingested. By nightfall all three brothers sat by the fire, sullen and still.
Joe, finally dressed but still feeling sick, began to talk into the gloomy night. “He promised a good life, lots of fun, money and girls. All I wanted was to be with him, get to know him and convince him to come home with me.” Joe hiccoughed and pulled the blankets tighter around his shoulders.
Adam’s soft baritone voice was full of compassion and sympathy. “You know Joe, a life like that doesn’t lead to any kind of prosperity.”
Joe planted his chin on his folded arms. “Yeah, I know.” He discreetly rubbed at his nose. “I was just hopin’, is all…well, you know….”
For a few moments the cracking fire was the only sound in the little shack. Hoss shared a look with Adam as he rested an arm across Joe’s hunched back. “Yeah, little brother, we know.”
Tags: Adam Cartwright, Hoss Cartwright, Joe / Little Joe Cartwright
A touching story bringing the brothers closer together. Joe might not have Clay, but he has two other loyal and loving brothers.
Thank you, wx, for your lovely comments. Your words sum it up perfectly. Joe has it all in Adam and Hoss. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. It’s always appreciated.
Truly, a good story and very atmospheric. I could just feel the rain and the quiet, cozy cabin. Hoss’s arm on Joe at the end is touching.
Thanks, Denise, for reading and sharing your thoughts. Joe was in a bad state but with his brothers there, healing can begin. Hoss just has that special ‘touch’ that Joe needs. Glad you enjoyed the story.
Joe’s in emotional pain after Clay’s abrupt departure, but his brothers Adam and Hoss are there for him…that is what true family is about. Loving each other and supporting each other through the hard times. A beautiful piece.
Thank you so much, Heather. You brightened my day with your sweet comments. Nothing can break the bond of love between the three brothers. When one hurts they all hurt. Glad you enjoyed this.
Such brotherly love,It is heart warming to see,I wonder if it is like that today, You are on my hit list for this week’s reading.
Thanks so much, Elayne. Joe really needed his brothers after things with Clay turned sour. Hearing that you’ll be reading more brightened my day. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on other stories. Happy reading.
Awww sweet brothers story, poor Joe!!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Joe did go through the ringer with Clay. Thanks for reading and leaving your thoughts.
This was a nice little story. Thanks
Thank you Hope. Glad you enjoyed it.
This is a riveting brothers story. It very nicely shows the bonds between the brothers.
Thank you, Sierras for your comments. Glad you enjoyed this. As we know those brotherly bonds are quite strong, and special.
So glad Joe came to see things in reality, sometimes it hard to get over a dream. Great job on showing the true family. I enjoyed reading it… Thanks for sharing,
Oscar
Thank you, Oscar. Your comments mean a lot, especially that you felt the family was true to character. Glad you enjoyed the story.
Poor Joe , what an fool idiot Clay was . Could have had a nice family there .
Enjoyed this 🙂
Yes, in his selfishness Clay gave up a wonderful brother and family. Thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed it.
So glad they have each other .
The brothers are always there for each other. Thanks for reading prlee, and I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
Joe was always drawn to anyone connected to New Orleans or his Marie. Thank goodness for Adam and Hoss. Joe seriously needed his older brothers whether he thought so or not. Great little story!
I agree Hart. Joe had a great need to be connected to Marie, but this path turned bad. Yes thank goodness for brothers. Thanks for reading and leaving your thoughts.
Awww poor Joe. Sweet vignette, really like it. Thanks AC.
Thanks Bakerj. I’m glad you enjoyed this little scene with the brothers. Thanks for reading.
Poor Joe…but Clay realised he’d not fit into the family which is why he chose to leave…Joe was always one to wear his heart on his sleeve
I agree, it all turned out for the best but what a hard thing for Joe to accept. Thanks for leaving your thoughts. They mean a lot, Krystyna.
And once again, brothers to the rescue. Made me chuckle picturing Hoss and Adam’s face at his condition. Nice short story.
Lol, they did have a mess to deal with, didn’t they. Thanks for commenting. Glad you enjoyed this little piece.
I never understood how Little Joe could leave Adam and Hoss… well, things continue how they must be!!! Thank you for the story!!!
Clay was a link to his mother but he’d never leave the family for good. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. Glad you enjoyed the story.
Nice brothers’ vignette and a good contrast to what life would be like with Clay. Well done.
Thanks Betty. Yes, Clay would have changed the dynamics for sure.
Clay had no idea what he missed out on with Joe’s loyalty and two other brothers who could have been family. This was a great use of the prompt.
Oh yeah, Clay was too blinded to see what he was leaving behind. Thanks for reading and leaving an awesome comment.
Hoss and Adam are what brothers should be. Joe is lucky to have them.
Thanks Lisa for reading. All three are lucky brothers.